Africa Cup of Nations: At least six people were killed in a stampede outside a football match in Cameroon | world News

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At least six people were killed in a stampede outside the stadium at an Africa Cup of Nations soccer match in Cameroon, officials said.

The stampede took place as fans struggled to reach an Olympic stadium in the capital Yaounde to watch the host nation face Comoros in their last 16 knockout matches.

There may be more casualties, the district’s governor, Nasiri Paul Biya, said, as a hospital in the district reported that at least 40 people were injured in the stampede.

Photo: Officials said nearly 50,000 people tried to attend the match at an Olympic stadium. pic

“Some of the wounded are in a miserable condition,” said nurse Olenga Prudence.

“We will have to take them to a specialized hospital,” he added.

Officials said about 50,000 people tried to attend the match.

The stadium has a capacity of 60,000 spectators, but it was not supposed to be more than 80% full due to coronavirus restrictions.

Photo: Cameroon will host Africa’s premier soccer tournament for the first time in 50 years

The President of the Confederation of African Football visits the fans

The Confederation of African Football said in a statement that it was “aware of the incident” at the Olympic Stadium and “is trying to obtain more details about what happened”.

Photo: Officials said nearly 50,000 people tried to attend the match at an Olympic stadium. pic

“We are in constant contact with the Cameroon government and the Local Organizing Committee,” the Confederation of African Football said.

“Tonight, CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe has sent General Secretary, Veron Mosengo-Omba, to visit supporters at Yaounde Hospital.”

Premier League club Everton paid tribute to those who lost their lives outside the stadium.

The club wrote in a tweet: “The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Everton are with the families of those fans who lost their lives and anyone affected by the tragic events of today’s #Africa Cup of Nations 2021 match between Cameroon and Comoros in Yaounde. RIP.”

Image: Cameroon won the match 2-1, but the match was marred after six people were killed in a stampede. pic

A tight match overshadowed by an incident outside the stadium

On the field, Cameroon won the match 2-1 to reach the quarter-finals.

Strikers Karl Toko Ekambi and Vincent Aboubacar gave Cameroon a lead in the 70th minute in front of the newcomers to the tournament, ranked 132 in the world, and played with a defender in the goal due to the outbreak of the Corona virus in the squad.

Image: The Comoros player is thankful for his appearance, a normal defender, who played as a goalkeeper due to the outbreak of the Corona virus in the team.

Comoros also had to handle most of the match with ten men after Jimmy Abdo was sent off in the seventh minute for stepping on the back of Mummy Ngamaleo’s ankle.

Read more: The referee causes chaos after ending the group match between Tunisia and Mali twice early

But Comoros midfielder Youssef Machangama gave his team hope by scoring from a free kick from 30 yards in the 81st minute.

Details of the tragedy outside the stadium were not confirmed until after the match.

Cameroon is hosting Africa’s premier soccer tournament for the first time in 50 years.

Hosts Guinea, who are making their first appearance in the tournament, are scheduled to face Saturday in the quarter-finals.

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